Lindsey Graham Dies: Trump Ally Suffered 'Brief and Sudden Illness'
Sen. Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71.
According to his office, Graham suffered a "brief and sudden illness" on Saturday evening. NBC News reported that emergency services responded to a call for "cardiac arrest" at his Capitol Hill home.
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A statement released by Graham's office confirmed his passing.
“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the statement from Graham’s office said. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Graham, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2003, was a key political ally of President Donald Trump. He had only recently returned from Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump paid tribute to the South Carolina senator on Truth Social.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “So sad!”
Representing South Carolina, Graham was widely recognized as a steadfast foreign policy hawk. Although he initially criticized Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, referring to the former Apprentice host as a "jackass," he later became known for his loyalty to the president.
Graham also donated $500,000 to Trump's efforts to legally challenge the outcome of the 2020 election. A retired Air Force Reserve colonel and military lawyer, he was running for re-election in November.